Junior School Report

What a fantastic start our students have had to the 2024 school year. On our first day of school we welcomed the arrival of almost three hundred and eighty new Year 7 students to the College. A particularly heart-warming sight was witnessing our newest students adorned in their pristine uniforms, exuding eagerness to begin their learning journey at Keysborough Secondary College.

Year 7s attending the Welcome Assembly on the first day of school at Acacia campus and Banksia Campus.

Our first few weeks have flown by with a whirlwind of opportunities for our students. We have had instrumental music and sport team try-outs, Wakakirri auditions, spirited house activities, school photos, excursions and incursions all in addition to students beginning their new academic classes.

Year 8 students attended Backflips Against Bullying, an educational incursion that incorporated parkour and stunts to engage students while educating them on anti-bullying and how to be an ‘upstander’ within our community.

Students from across the College came together to embrace their House Spirit on our annual House Activities Day

Our Year 7 students have been eagerly exploring their new learning spaces

Students have been excitedly auditioning for Wakakirri; a nation-wide, performing arts festival (https://www.wakakirri.com/).

As we move into the second half of Term 1, our commitment to providing enriching experiences and fostering holistic development remains unwavering. Exciting events still await our students including Humanities fieldwork excursions, incursions promoting safe and respectful relationships, interschool sports competitions, and the highly anticipated Year 8 Banksia Camp to Camp Allambie.

In the upcoming weeks, we extend a warm invitation to our Year 7 parents and students to join us for the much-anticipated Year 7 Meet and Greet session (Acacia Campus 7th March and Banksia Campus 29th February 6-7pm). This night provides a platform for parents to connect directly with their child's teachers, fostering open communication channels where questions can be asked, concerns addressed, and triumphs celebrated. It's a collaborative opportunity for parents and educators to partner in ensuring the success and well-being of our budding learners as they embark on this transformative journey through secondary education. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing in the collective joy of nurturing our students' academic and personal development.

We encourage parents to assist their child to establish healthy routines as we get back into the school year. This is crucial for success and will assist with organisation and time-management as the academic focus in classes increases. Here are some tips for parents and students:

Access to Compass: It is essential that all parents have access to Compass so you can monitor attendance, submit attendance notes and parent approvals, view upcoming assessments, view school reports and give consent for upcoming events. Contact the Junior school office if you need assistance accessing your child’s account.
Student diaries: Each student in Year 7-9 has been provided with a College diary to assist them with organisation of school work, communication, and recording important school events. These diaries also include reflective and relaxation activities, designed to promote the development of student resilience, which will help them through stressful times such as exams.
Punctuality: Ensure your child arrives at school on time to avoid missing crucial instructions and learning opportunities.
Homework: Provide your child a quiet place and time to study; this could be at home, attending after school homework support or at the local library.
Communication: Take time each day to talk with your child about their day to keep communication lines open. Contact the College for assistance if any concerns arise.
Encourage seeking help: Encourage your child to seek help from teachers or our Wellbeing Team if they encounter difficulties academically or socially.
Monitor sleep: Ensure your child is getting 8-10 hours of sleep each night for optimal learning readiness. You might also need to consider setting parental controls on electronic devices to limit night-time usage.

We hope these tips support our collective effort to help every student reach their full potential as we work together to foster an environment where all students thrive academically and personally.

Ms Batchelor & Ms Williams

Junior School Assistant Principals